Louie Lefevre bringS YOU the latest news from Wolves U21s as they battled to earn a point in their opening Bristol Street Motors Trophy group stage fixture BUT WERE DENIED BY A LAST GASP GOAL.
Port Vale 2-2 (5-4 on pens) Wolves U21s – 3rd September, Vale Park
Port Vale XI: Amos, Smith, Byers (61), Stockley (61), Chislett (45), Curtis, Lowe, Sang, Plant, Debrah (77), Baker-Boaitley (45)
Subs: Ripley, Tolaj (45), Richards (45), Hackford (61), Lomax (61), Buah, Agnero (77)
Wolves XI: King, White (73), Mabete, Pond, Voice, Keto-Diyawa, Whittingham, Ashworth (90+5), Edozie (64), Esen, Angel (73)
Subs: Nasta, Igbinoghene, Carson (90+5), Ballard-Matthews, Barnett (64), Farmer (73), Holman (73)
Wolves travelled to Vale Park to face their first competitive fixture with a senior side this season. James Collins’ side had some experience of their own with first-teamer Tom King in net. Finn Ashworth had the first chance of the game, the midfielder just putting his effort wide. Ethan Chislett had an effort from range next but also flashed it wide of King’s goal. Vale maintained their pressure with a quick succession of chances. George Byers had his attempt blocked and Jayden Stockley could only head the resulting corner over the bar. Brighton loanee Benicio Baker-Boaitley’s cross would give Stockley another chance but this time the striker headed wide. Tom Edozie would give Wolves the lead on the 24th minute. Aaron Keto-Diyawa found Edozie in the box who left defender Jesse Debrah grounded before firing his shot to the right of Ben Amos and into the back of the net. A lapse in concentration from Tom King next as he gave the ball straight to the opposition, Benicio’s shot came very close to levelling the game but spared King’s blushes. Byers and Irish international Ronan Curtis would each get opportunities to change Darren Moore’s half-time team talk but Wolves defended well to make sure they lead at the break.
The former Baggies boss would have been happier with how the second-half started though. Stockley had an effort blocked before King made an excellent save just five minutes after. Curtis’ cross was headed on but substitute Lorent Tolaj to Nathan Smith at the back-post but King was already off his line and ready to meet the header. Unfortunately for King, it was all in vain. Vale recycled possession and this time Smith turned provider, cushioning a cross down for Tolaj to smash into the top right corner on the half-volley. Nothing King could do about that one as Tolaj made himself Vale Park royalty. The crosses were flooding in now, Tom Sang sent the next one in but Stockley’s first-time attempt trickled wide. Another Vale sub nearly had an immediate impact when Antoine Hackford had a dig from range but it was easy pickings for King. Wolves were really on the ropes and the hosts were having all the chances. Tolaj, Curtis and Sang all having chances to give the Valiants the lead but unable to beat the Wolves keeper. Wolves needed a bit of luck if they were to strike again and luckily Ben Lomax was in a giving mood! The defender passed the ball straight to Fletcher Holman, who curled a long-range effort straight into the top left corner to give Wolves the advantage once more. It wouldn’t last long though. Hackford met a low ball across the box which Tom King bravely saved, taking a whack from Hackford in the process. The Welsh international was still down and out as the rebound fell to Ronan Curtis to hammer into an empty net.
So, to penalties it went. Whittingham would miss first and give the home side a chance to win from the spot. Jason Lowe stepped up but the Wolves goalkeeper saved down to his right. As the saying goes: if you come for the king, you better not miss. Sadly, James Plant was all too familiar with this philosophy and he made no mistake in taking advantage of Owen Farmer’s missed opportunity. Plant’s winner left the young Wolves side dazed and confused with only one point to show for their efforts.
A very respectable effort from Wolves who took the game right to the wire with their senior opponents. With this result, Port Vale retain top spot in the group with 5 points but Wolves do find themselves 2nd with a singular point. However, Wrexham are yet to get their Bristol Street Motors Trophy campaign started and Wolves could very well find themselves slipping down the group when the Welsh outfit meet Salford next Tuesday. The 21s now have a lengthy break for the international window before they’re back in action on Friday 13th September when they host Huddersfield U21s at Aggborough in the PL Cup.
Transfer news:
Wolves academy product Mason Rees has departed to join Rushall Olympic in the 6th tier of the English football pyramid. Rees had been told to find a move going into the summer as the club no longer had a place for the midfielder, according to Football Insider. The 18-year-old had featured 52 times in the league for the u18s but had never managed to break into the u21 side on a regular basis – however he had made 2 appearances in the EFL trophy. Rees joins former Wolves man Liam McAlinden at Dales Lane. Also, Ghanaian defender Stanley Quarshie is currently on trial with Wolves. He was spotted at the Samba Star tournament in Ghana and Wolves’ staff will now be evaluating Quarshie as he joins up with the youth team at Compton for his trial period.
International Duty
Finally, as almost all the international squads have been announced, here’s a full list of youth players on international duty:
- Justin Hubner – Indonesia
- Dexter Lembikisa – Jamaica
- Tawanda Chirewa – Zimbabwe
- Filozofe Mabete – DR Congo U20s
- Josh Gracey – Northern Ireland U19s
- Lewys Benjamin – Wales U19s
- Makenzie Bradbury – Wales U18s
- Mateus Mane and Saheed Olagunju – England U18s
- Luke Rawlings and Wes Okoduwa – England U17s